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Ulawun Volcano - John Seach

East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

5.04 S, 151.34 E
summit elevation 2334 m
stratovolcano

Ulawun is one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea and one of its most dangerous.
It is the highest volcano in the 1000 km long Bismarck volcanic arc which stretches from Rabaul to Wewak.
Ulawun volcano is composed of lava flows interbedded with tephra composed of basalt and andesite.
Ulawun activity includes Strombolian and Pelean eruptions. Eruptions originate from a central crater.

Ulawun volcano photo by John Seach

Ulawun Volcano

The first recorded eruption of Ulawun was by Dampier in 1700. The next record was 178 years later.
A large eruption in 1915 deposited 10 cm of ash at Toriu, 50 km northeast of the volcano.
In 1970 a large eruption produced nuees ardentes and lava flows.
The eruption devastated the NW flank of Ulawun and modified the summit crater.

An eruption in 1980 ejected ash to 60,000 ft and produced pyroclastic flows which swept all flanks of the volcano and devastated an area of 20 sq km.
The most serious volcanic hazard at Ulawun volcano is catastrophic structural collapse, producing an eruption which could devastate hundreds of sq km in area.

Ulawun volcano is 400 m higher than most of the volcanoes in the Bismarck which indicates it may be at the limit of structural stability.